Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger makes a basket in the first half of the Minnesota Timberwolves home opener against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, November 2, 2012 at Target Center. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

The Timberwolves aren't ready to have a pity party.

In fact, the Wolves are taking a defiant approach to their injury situation, which got even more alarming Tuesday, Nov. 13, when the team learned valuable reserve forward Chase Budinger will miss at least three to four months recovering from surgery on his left knee.

"The natural reaction is to feel sorry for ourselves, but we're not going to do that," Wolves forward Dante Cunningham said Tuesday night. "The other team is not going to feel sorry for us. They're going to come at us with as much energy as if we had a full roster. Until we're down to four players, we feel we have enough to keep winning."

The Wolves' collective attitude is one of the few things that has remained healthy during the team's 5-2 start.

The Wolves started the season with optimism, only to see six of the team's top players, including four starters, go down with injuries.

Center Nikola Pekovic was the latest starter to suffer an injury. He sprained his left ankle Monday night in the third quarter of the 90-82 win at Dallas and did not play in the fourth quarter.

Backup center Greg Stiemsma said he saw Pekovic smiling and working out in the weight room Tuesday, so there's a chance Pekovic might be in the lineup Wednesday night.

Advertisement

The way things have been going for the Wolves, coach Rick Adelman has to wait until almost game time before knowing who is available. If Pekovic can't start, Stiemsma likely will start at center, giving the Wolves' bench another opportunity to prove its worth.

"We don't have any choice but to show that we can handle this," Stiemsma said. "We're not making any excuses. We know we have a deep team. We've got guys who can play from the top to the bottom on our roster."

The Wolves' improved depth will be challenged further by the loss of Budinger, who was injured in the third quarter of Saturday night's loss at Chicago. He underwent surgery Tuesday after tearing the lateral meniscus ligament in his left knee. His loss is particularly painful for the Wolves because of his versatility off the bench.

Budinger, acquired in an offseason trade with Houston, is averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 rebounds and is shooting 48.0 percent from the floor. His perimeter shooting and ability to play small forward and shooting guard will be missed, particularly with Roy struggling.

Roy has not played since the first half of last Wednesday's game against Orlando and will not play Wednesday night. He said he's been advised to keep resting his knee for a possible return Friday night against Golden State.

"Not being able to help out more is frustrating," Roy said Tuesday night. "I want to be out there, but I want to go from 80 percent to 100 percent. I don't want to be out there compensating and then hurt something else. I want to make sure I'm ready and not rush back too soon."

Roy experienced discomfort in his right knee during halftime of the Orlando game. The knee has bothered him occasionally since he bumped knees with an opposing player in the Wolves' final exhibition game against Milwaukee on Oct. 27.

As Roy and the Wolves try to survive the team's injury problems, Roy said the team's mood has remained upbeat. He also said the team has been encouraged that Adelman has remained calm and has made no plans to minimize his system because of the injuries.

"Coach hasn't made any changes or given speeches, and that's a good thing," Roy said. "His tone has been the same. He just said we lost a guy and everybody else has to step up. It's as simple as that."